Why is there a nurse shortage in the United States?

The average age of registered nurses in the US is around 45 years of age. The average age of faculty members in schools of nursing is in the mid-fifties. The enrollment in nursing schools has been declining over the past five years. There were 26% fewer RN graduates in 2000 than in 1995¹. The demand for nurses, both because of the demographics of the patient base and regulations in the industry, is increasing faster than the supply. It is estimated that there is a shortage of 125,000 nurses in the country. This number could increase to 500,000 by the year 2020 if no significant changes occur in the field².

Individuals who previously considered nursing as a profession have more alternatives now than in the past. The compensation for nurses and opportunities for advancement will need to be enhanced to become more competitive with alternative professions available to future nursing candidates.

¹ “Projected Supply, Demand, and Shortages of Registered Nurses: 2000-2020”, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, July 2002.
² Ibid

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